The Kennedy Forum is initiating 500 conversations with 5,000+ people on May 10, 2016. The topic of conversation is mental health and addiction. If you’re prepared to host a conversation with family, friends, co-workers, or another group of people, register here. If you aren’t sure, read more below. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us!

Below is an overview of this initiative.

GOALS:

Fight Stigma, Break the Silence, Raise Awareness

Cultivate a culture of compassion, support and connected community

Demonstrate public support for action on mental health

MEASURABLE OBJECTIVES:

Engage 5,000+ people across Illinois in mealtime conversations about mental health on May 10.

Report results of conversations by reporting key data, including the concerns and commitments that people are taking to address mental health challenges and priority issues.

NEXT STEPS:

Educate yourself on the goals of this initiative; register to host. (Remember: select ‘Kennedy Forum’ as your partner organization.)

Identify those in your network willing to host a conversation or participate as a conversation guest.

Reach out to those individuals with information to host or attend a conversation.

Host a conversation May 10, 2016, and help us realize our goal to fight the stigma and break the silence.

Basic information for hosts:

You determine a location to meet on May 10, 2016 for a mealtime conversation. You can have your breakfast, lunch or dinner wherever you want (e.g. home, workplace, restaurant, church), serve whatever you like, or have everyone bring something or chip in.

You decide who you would like to invite. Friends and family? Neighbors? Colleagues? We recommend 10-12 guests at each gathering. If you would like to invite public community members to participate in your gathering, you can indicate your event is open to guests and how many.

You determine the theme of your conversation. For example, some possible topics might include: how do I/we experience mental health stigma and how can I/we address it? What can my school do better to detect, address and support students with mental health challenges? What can our company/workplace do to build a culture that supports those with mental health and addiction disorders? What is the new mental health parity law and how can we educate ourselves and others about their rights under the law?

If you represent an organization, employer or other large group, you can help The Kennedy Forum elevate the dialogue by sharing this information and encouraging your organization to host multiple conversations. Set a goal for your group, 5 conversations? 10? Let us know how we can help you achieve it.

If you would like to participate in a conversation about mental health/addiction but not as a host, let us know. We will work to connect you to host conversations that invite public guests.

All of us can help address stigma around mental health and addiction. Talking openly about mental illness signals to others that they’re not alone, and it also opens up a dialogue about how we can better treat people with mental illness in the future. For more tips about how to open a dialogue with those you love, and those around you, visit this website.

Hi James plans are on motion to host with a fellow colleague May 10th at Advocate Christ Hospital..So looking forward to this On The Table Conversation… We have a coworker that will be recording the conversation…….My Hero. Barbara